About This Book

A modern classic that no child should miss. Since it was first published in 1939, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel has delighted generations of children.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is the story of a steam-shovel operator and his steam shovel — the beguiling Mary Anne — which he would not desert, even though competition from gas and diesel-motored shovels was ruining him.

The solution to Mike's problem is classic in its simplicity. Under pressure to show Mary Anne at her best, Mike digs the foundation for the town hall of Popperville and in his haste forgets to leave a way for Mary Anne to get out! The ingenious townspeople suggest that Mary Anne be remodeled into a furnace and Mike be retained to keep her heart and boiler warm.

This is a classic story of the old being replaced by the new and the nostalgia often felt for archaic things. Mary Anne and Mike are a team to be admired.